A Song of Ascents. Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel! (Psalm 128)

Eating The Labor Of Your Hands

God is the God of labor. There is reward in working with the hands to produce crops, care for the family, and glorify God. God created man to be a creature who honors Him through labor. This was complicated by sin, when Adam was told he would work by the sweat of his brow. Still, God expects men to work, be diligent, and through the example of honest labor, show His glory to the world. Man is not a helpless creature, but he must work with his hands. The weather demands shelter to protect from the elements, predators, and the cold. This demands labor to build the structure.

Food comes from the ground, foraging through the forest, or capturing or killing game. Foods grown wild must be harvested. Many foods must be planted in prepared ground, cared for, and harvested. Wheat will only become bread through many avenues of labor. Warm bread from the oven is a result of hours of labor, and how sweet the reward. There is something sweet about eating food grown by one’s own effort. The sweetness of a job well done refreshes the heart.

God gave the world labor to show His glory and satisfaction of the rewards of doing well. He expects and demands hard work and honest labor. The Lord promises the blessings of daily bread, but it must be made through industry, diligence, and honesty. One consequence of turning away from God is becoming slothful and lazy. Lazy people demand that others care for them. Being slothful creates an entitled life. When the government provides everything for the individual requiring no labor, the world implodes into a lazy, unproductive, and wasted society. It also becomes a godless world.

True happiness is found in fearing the Lord and walking in His ways. Honest labor creates a happy home because it fulfills the design God intended for it. Working with the hands of industry blesses the home for those who fear the Lord. The psalmist shows the beauty of the family as fruitful vines and olive plants, nurturing the home with the glory of God. Labor is honorable. It proclaims the eternal pattern of the Lord for the home. Happy Labor Day.